AIG Women's Open FAQs

The AIG Women’s Open is one of the biggest events in women’s golf, bringing together the world’s best players to compete for one of the sport’s five major championships.

From when and where the next AIG Women’s Open takes place to its format, past winners and how to attend, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the championship.

The AIG Women’s Open is one of the five major championships in women’s professional golf and is traditionally the final women’s major of the year.

First played in 1976, the championship has grown into one of the most prestigious events in the women’s game. It attracts leading players from around the world and is regularly staged on some of Britain’s most famous golf courses.

The championship has been organised by The R&A since 2017, with AIG becoming title sponsor in 2019.

Yes. The AIG Women’s Open is one of the five major championships in women’s professional golf.

The five women’s majors are:

• The Chevron Championship
• U.S. Women’s Open
• KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
• The Amundi Evian Championship
• AIG Women’s Open

Winning the AIG Women’s Open is therefore one of the biggest achievements in women’s golf, with champions joining an illustrious list featuring some of the greatest players in the history of the game.

The next AIG Women’s Open will take place from 28 July to 1 August 2027 at Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent.

It will be a historic championship, as Royal St George’s will host the AIG Women’s Open for the first time.

The course is one of the most famous links in world golf and has previously hosted The Open on 15 occasions, most recently in 2021.

The 2027 AIG Women’s Open will be held at Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent, England.

Royal St George’s was founded in 1887 and is one of the most celebrated links courses in the country. It has hosted numerous major championships and elite amateur events, including The Open, Walker Cup, Curtis Cup, Amateur Championship and Women’s Amateur Championship.

Its undulating fairways, deep bunkers and unpredictable coastal conditions should provide a demanding test for the world’s best players when the AIG Women’s Open arrives for the first time in 2027.

Watching the AIG Women’s Open in person gives golf fans the opportunity to see many of the world’s best players competing for a major championship.

Tickets are available for the 2027 championship at Royal St George’s, while hospitality options offer an enhanced way to experience the tournament.

Golfbreaks also offers AIG Women’s Open packages, helping golf fans combine their visit to the championship with accommodation and other elements of their trip.

The championship regularly visits some of the finest courses in the UK.

Confirmed upcoming venues include:

• 2027 – Royal St George’s Golf Club, Kent
• 2028 – Sunningdale Golf Club, Berkshire

Royal St George’s will stage the championship for the first time in 2027, while the AIG Women’s Open returns to Sunningdale in 2028 for the first time since 2008.

The 2028 championship will be played on Sunningdale’s famous Old Course, which has previously produced winners including Karrie Webb, Se Ri Pak, Karen Stupples and Jiyai Shin.

Shiho Kuwaki won the 2026 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, securing her first major championship title.

The Japanese golfer finished regulation play tied with Germany’s Esther Henseleit at five-under-par after Henseleit produced a dramatic birdie on the 18th hole.

The championship went to a play-off, where Kuwaki eventually claimed victory with a par on the second extra hole.

The AIG Women’s Open has produced an impressive list of champions from around the world.

Recent winners include:

• 2026 – Shiho Kuwaki, Royal Lytham & St Annes
• 2025 – Miyu Yamashita, Royal Porthcawl
• 2024 – Lydia Ko, St Andrews
• 2023 – Lilia Vu, Walton Heath
• 2022 – Ashleigh Buhai, Muirfield
• 2021 – Anna Nordqvist, Carnoustie
• 2020 – Sophia Popov, Royal Troon
• 2019 – Hinako Shibuno, Woburn
• 2018 – Georgia Hall, Royal Lytham & St Annes

The variety of winners and venues reflects the international nature of the championship and the different challenges presented by links and inland courses.

Karrie Webb and Sherri Steinhauer share the record for the most Women’s Open victories, with three titles each.

Webb won in 1995, 1997 and 2002, while Steinhauer claimed the championship in 1998, 1999 and 2006.

Several players have won the championship twice, including Debbie Massey, Yani Tseng and Jiyai Shin.

The AIG Women’s Open is a 72-hole stroke-play championship played over four rounds.

Players complete 18 holes on Thursday and Friday, after which a cut reduces the field for the weekend. Those who make the cut play another 18 holes on Saturday and Sunday.

The player with the lowest aggregate score after 72 holes is crowned champion. If players are tied for the lead after the final round, a play-off determines the winner.

The prize fund has grown significantly as the profile of the championship and women’s professional golf has increased.

The 2026 AIG Women’s Open had a total prize fund of $10 million, an increase of $250,000 from 2025.

By comparison, the inaugural championship in 1976 had a total prize fund of just £500, demonstrating the remarkable growth of the event over the past five decades.

Prize money for future championships is confirmed closer to each event.

The championship has visited many of the UK’s most prestigious golf courses.

Recent host venues include:

• Royal Lytham & St Annes – 2026
• Royal Porthcawl – 2025
• St Andrews – 2024
• Walton Heath – 2023
• Muirfield – 2022
• Carnoustie – 2021
• Royal Troon – 2020
• Woburn – 2019
• Royal Lytham & St Annes – 2018
• Kingsbarns – 2017

The championship's move to venues traditionally associated with The Open has helped establish it as one of the leading events on the global golf calendar.

The tournament was known for many years as the Women’s British Open.

AIG became title sponsor in 2019, initially giving the championship the name AIG Women’s British Open. In 2020, the name was changed to the AIG Women’s Open.

Despite the change in name, it remains the championship traditionally known as the Women’s British Open.

The field is made up of many of the world’s leading professional golfers, with places awarded through a range of exemption and qualification categories.

These can include leading players in the world rankings, recent major champions, leading performers on major professional tours and players who earn their places through qualifying.

This combination creates an international field featuring established major winners alongside emerging professionals and talented amateurs.

The final field for the 2027 AIG Women’s Open will not be confirmed until closer to the championship, but fans can expect many of the biggest names in women’s golf to compete at Royal St George’s.

As one of the five majors, the championship traditionally attracts a world-class international field featuring major champions, leading LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour players, and some of the game’s most exciting emerging talent.

The AIG Women’s Open is broadcast around the world, with coverage depending on your location and broadcasting rights for that year.

In the UK, extensive live coverage is traditionally available through Sky Sports, while international broadcast partners show the championship in markets around the world.

Fans can also follow live scoring, news, highlights and updates through the official AIG Women’s Open digital channels.

Broadcast schedules for each championship are normally confirmed closer to the event.

There is no need to dress as though you are playing a round of golf yourself. Comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for spending several hours outdoors are the priority.

British summer weather can change quickly, particularly at exposed links courses such as Royal St George’s, so it is sensible to bring waterproof clothing, sun protection and comfortable shoes.

Spectators should check the championship’s latest ticket and entry guidance before travelling for information on permitted items.

Yes. The AIG Women’s Open is designed to offer much more than simply watching golf, making it a popular day out for families as well as dedicated golf fans.

At the 2027 championship, under-16s can attend free of charge with a ticket, while discounted tickets are available for young people aged 16 to 24.

Alongside the action on the course, spectators can typically enjoy food and drink, spectator areas and other activities around the championship venue.